Wedgewood Owner ‘Worried to Death' About Road

Golf and a road extension related to economic development are on a possible collision course at Wedgewood Golf and Country Club in North Lakeland.

By DEL MILLIGANTHE LEDGER

Golf and a road extension related to economic development are on a possible collision course at Wedgewood Golf and Country Club in North Lakeland.

The Lakeland City Commission unanimously approved an engineering study for a new half-mile portion of the road off U.S. 98 North south of Target.

The half-mile road doesn't conflict with the 18-hole, public golf course.

But extending the road another 1.1 miles to connect U.S. 98 with Socrum Loop Road would cut through the south side of the golf course next to Interstate 4.

Sun Shin, owner of Wedgewood, said several holes would be impacted.

The par-4 No. 3 hole that is parallel to I-4 would be cut in half, Shin said. It would also affect No. 2 and No. 10, he said.

"It will damage the No. 3 hole plus other areas so much that the quality of the 18-hole golf course will not be the same,'' Shin said. "This is a golf course that was built in 1926 (Carpenters Home). It should be preserved as one of those historical courses.''

The half-mile section of the road is the immediate focus of the study. It would begin at Lakeland Park Center, a new shopping center expected to begin construction this spring, and end at Union Drive, according to a story by Ledger writer John Chambliss on Jan. 8.

Extending the road, renamed Lakeland Park Center Drive, to Socrum Loop along I-4 would likely require another study, and is probably a few years away if it does happen.

Shin said he hadn't seen the official proposal, but that he's "worried to death.''

"I am very uneasy and concerned. The neighbors around here are concerned,'' Shin said. "I question the real urgent need of the road at the expense of a nice golf course.''

Shin said there are no options to move No. 3 to another part of the course.

"I'm very concerned. That's my pension plan. Several families depend on this course. I cannot afford to lose this golf course,'' he said.

Taking part of Wedgewood for a road that may not support a lot of traffic seems to be a questionable proposal.

What if Edgewood Drive from Florida Avenue to the Bartow Highway was turned into a four-lane and the 8A and 9A holes at Cleveland Heights were affected? Imagine the uproar.

The Wedgewood faithful will also be up in arms should the extension eventually come to pass.

Shin, who has owned the course for 10 years, said he has retained an attorney to investigate the issues.

INCLEMA FIRES 69 AT HEIGHTS FOR CITY TITLE

Justin Inclema of Lakeland fired a 3-under-par 69 in windy conditions at Cleveland Heights on Saturday to win the inaugural City of Lakeland Open Championship by five strokes.

Jeff Fleeman of Auburndale finished second with a 74, followed by Kenny Davis of Lakeland at 75.

Inclema, 22, is a former Lakeland High School golfer who plays often at Cleveland Heights.

There were 46 players in the field from ages 11 to 71 for the tournament, which Cleveland Heights is bringing back as the Lakeland city championship, which started in 1946.

"I couldn't be happier with how it went,'' said Cleveland Heights Club Pro Dante Battilla.

"We're going to shoot to try to have 100 next year,'' he said.

The field was divided into three flights. The two lower flights played low net with handicaps.

Joel Johnson, the 11-year-old, won the Second Flight with a low net 59. Johnson, a First Tee of Lakeland golfer, shot 84 with a 25 handicap.

Battilla said he plans to have a senior division next year for golfers 70 and older.

And he will schedule it on an off-week for the NFL Playoffs.

"I'm going to hold it on a bye week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl, so I think we'll get a bigger response to come out and play,'' Battilla said.

FREE DEMO DAY AT FIRST TEE FEB. 2

Golf Etc. in Lakeland is holding Free Demo Day at The First Tee on Saturday, Feb. 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Clubs and equipment from Adams, TaylorMade, Cobra, Nike, Callaway, Ping and more will be available for testing at The First Tee of Lakeland at the YMCA Par 3.

There will be free giveaways and discounts.

For information, call Golf Etc. at 863-687-7274. The shop is located at Lakeside Village.

SENIOR GAMES GOLF

There are two golf events for men and women in the 21st annual Polk Senior Games.

The women's Putt & Chip event is on Monday, Feb. 25, at Highland Fairways at 9 a.m., followed by the men's competition at 1 p.m. For information, call event managers Bill Hanna at 863-815-2492 or Linda Smucker at 863-816-5014.

The 18-hole golf tournament for men 65-74 is Tuesday, March 5, at Schalamar Creek at 8:30 a.m. Men 50-64 and 75-and-over will tee off at 1:30 p.m. March 5.

The women's 18-hole tournament is March 7 at Schalamar Creek at 8:30 a.m.

For the 18-hole events, call Smucker or Cory Kuppero at 863-666-1623, ext. 1.

For information, check www.polkseniorgames.org or call 863-533-0055.

[ Del Milligan's golf column appears Wednesdays in The Ledger. He can be reached at del.milligan@theledger.com or 863-802-7555. Milligan's blog, Extra Holes in Polk County, can be found at theledger.com home page. ]